Dodgers great Newcombe passes out at Roberts’ news conference

LOS ANGELES — Don Newcombe, baseball’s first player to win rookie of the year, MVP and the Cy Young Award, was resting comfortably at home Tuesday after fainting at Dodger Stadium after welcoming Dave Roberts as the club’s first minority manager.

A team spokesman said Newcombe was "doing fine" and had returned home after being taken by ambulance to a hospital.

In early July, Newcombe was hospitalized for two days after becoming ill at the stadium.

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After the introductory news conference ended, the 89-year-old special adviser to the chairman was greeted by Roberts, who grasped Newcombe’s face in his hands and spoke to him. Newcombe remains a regular presence in his suit and fedora at the stadium. He has served as special adviser since 2009.

Newcombe pitched for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1949-51 and 1954-58 after missing two seasons while serving in the military during the Korean War. He was one of the first blacks to play for the franchise, along with Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella.

He had a record of 149-90 with 1,129 strikeouts and a 3.56 ERA. Newcombe was a four-time NL All-Star and pitched in three World Series.